Woodland police offering unwanted prescription drug takeback Saturday

The Woodland Police Department will be holding its eighth collection of unwanted pills and other medication this Saturday.

The event will be held at the Police Department, 1000 Lincoln Ave., from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Woodland police are working with representatives of the Drug Enforcement Administration to collect expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs.

Woodland Police SpokesmanSgt. Brett Hancock encouraged people to bring their pills to the department for disposal. The DEA cannot accept liquids or needles or sharps, only pills or patches. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

Last October, Americans turned in 324 tons of prescription drugs at more than 4,114 sites operated by the DEA and its thousands of state and local law enforcement partners.

When those results are combined with what was collected in its seven previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in more than 3.4 million pounds-more than 1,700 tons-of pills, stated Hancock.

"This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue," Hancock added. "Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs."

In addition, Woodlanders are advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines -- flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash -- both pose potential safety and health hazards.